SOUND.WAVES. returns to Limerick this November for its second year for a three-day programme that brings together the people shaping music, podcasting and the business of modern content.

Taking place from 10th – 12th November 2026 at The Woodlands Hotel, Adare, SOUND.WAVES. will once again connect creators, artists, podcasters, producers, platforms, broadcasters and industry leaders from Ireland and beyond, exploring how audiences are built, how creative work travels and how sustainable careers and businesses are developing around it.

Music and podcasting increasingly share similar opportunities and challenges. Artists are building direct relationships with audiences across multiple platforms while podcasters are moving into video and live events,  both navigating a rapidly changing landscape of discovery, monetisation, IP, technology and global reach.

SOUND.WAVES. puts those conversations in the same room.

Following its inaugural event in 2025, which welcomed representatives from across music, broadcasting, podcasting and international platforms, the 2026 programme will grow across three days, with dedicated music and podcast industry sessions alongside conversations that bring both sectors together. Last year’s event attracted organisations including Apple, Patreon, BBC Sounds, RTÉ, GoLoud, Universal Music, Sony Music, IMRO and IRMA.

The programme will feature keynote conversations, panels, workshops, one-to-ones and industry sessions looking at some of the biggest questions facing creators and businesses in 2026, from audience growth and discoverability to AI, rights, monetisation, international markets and how creative work moves between audio, video, social and live experiences.

The All-Ireland Podcast Awards will also return for their second year as part of SOUND.WAVES. 2026 on the evening of Wednesday 11th November.

Launched in 2025 to create an annual moment of recognition for Ireland’s growing podcast sector, the inaugural Awards attracted entries from independent creators, commercial publishers and public service broadcasters across the 32 counties. An international and Irish judging panel included representatives from Spotify, Patreon, BBC, Wondery, Netflix, RTÉ, ONIC, GoLoud and Journal Media.

The first AIPA winners included The Indo Daily, The Real Carrie Jade, Cover: Stakeknife, Young Hot Guys, The Laughs of Your Life with Doireann Garrihy, Indo Sport – A Closer Look and Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED, with Nicky Byrne receiving the inaugural Spotlight Award.

Entries for the 2026 All-Ireland Podcast Awards will open on Wednesday 2nd  September, with submissions closing at 6pm on Thursday, 22nd September. The shortlist will be announced in mid-October, ahead of the Awards in November.

The first speakers, programme details and partners for SOUND.WAVES. 2026 will be announced as part of the launch, with further names and sessions revealed over the coming weeks.

The Sound.Waves and All Ireland Podcast Awards Team said ‘Last year showed us there is a real appetite for bringing the music and podcast industries together. They may be different creative worlds, but the questions are increasingly the same. How do you find an audience? How do you build a sustainable career? How do you make great work travel further?

‘SOUND.WAVES. gives those industries a place to share what is working, challenge each other and create connections that might not otherwise happen. Year two gives us the opportunity to build on that and open the conversation even wider.’

Early bird tickets are available from Friday 21 August. Day tickets are available here while accommodation packages can be booked directly through The Woodlands Hotel here. Enter the code SOUNDWAVES to access dates and exclusive discounted rates.

SOUND.WAVES. 2026 takes place in Limerick from 10 th – 12 th November.

Further programme, speaker and ticket information will be available at www.soundwaves.ie and via @soundwavesirl.